Parkland's Williams ready to carry load for Giants

Noah K. Murray, USA Today Sports

New York Giants running back Andre Williams (44) reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons during the second half at MetLife Stadium Sunday during a 30-20 win. Williams, a Parkland High grad, may have a bigger workload Sunday night against the Eagles because of an injury to Giants starter Rashad Jennings.

New York Giants running back Andre Williams (44) reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons during the second half at MetLife Stadium Sunday during a 30-20 win. Williams, a Parkland High grad, may have a bigger workload Sunday night against the Eagles because of an injury to Giants starter Rashad Jennings. (Noah K. Murray, USA Today Sports)

Parkland High School graduate and New York Giants rookie running back Andre Williams met the media today to talk about a possible increased role for next Sunday's game at Philadelphia against the Eagles.

Williams might have to play more than he's been used to because of an injury to Rashad Jennings.

Here's the complete transcript.

Q: What's the feeling like here in terms of a lot of guys contributing to this win yesterday? What does that mean?

A: It's good that we were able to come out yesterday, our last home game before we get on the road for a couple games before the bye week, just to be able to sure things up, get some guys on the field that haven't played in a little bit and get a good win.

Q: If Rashad Jennings can't go this week or if he's limited, do you feel comfortable in taking an even greater role?

A: Absolutely. I practice every day like I'm going to play the whole game. You can't go into a week saying, 'Oh, I'm second string, third string, I might not play this game,' you have to play because it's always the next man up mentality.

A: Absolutely. I've had a couple games with success now. The guys are rallying behind me, the O-line is making me feel comfortable. We're just getting better and gelling better as a group, so I'm confident going into next week.

Q: If you get thrust into a big spot here against Philly, are you ready to accept it?

A: Absolutely, I am.

Q: When you went back and looked at the tape, how did you do in pass blocking?

A: There were definitely come areas I made some mistakes, some areas I did well and just with more time and experience and better preparation, I'll do well next week.

Q: Has that been the most challenging thing for you coming into this league? You probably see different things that you maybe never saw.

A: I don't necessarily think that's the most challenging thing coming into the league. Really what I had trouble dealing with so far, just getting used to a no-huddle offense and picking up the calls, seeing the pass protection, call pass routes, executing it all in a short amount of time. With more time and experience, it's definitely coming to me better.

Q: Are there particular things that you've picked up from Rashad, him being a veteran of this league, that have already helped you.

A: Absolutely. Rashad is really open about the younger players, even just how he fits in pass protection, how he uses his hands, different secrets he's looking at backside when he's running certain zone runs. It's definitely helped me. I'm going to be leaning on him a lot even though he's down.

Q: Do you think you've shown enough yesterday, both running and pass protecting, that the coaches would have maybe more faith in you than they did before?

A: I would hope so. I think I had a pretty solid game. I hope that I'm definitely building faith, having the coaches build faith in me and my ability to play on the field.

Q: It was the first time in while you've had 20 carries, how does the body feel this morning? A little extra sore or is it a good sore?

A: It's a good sore. I had 15 last week, 20 this week, there wasn't too much of a difference between the two. I really feel like I'm built to carry the ball as many times as I need to.

Q: You want 40 Sunday, don't you?

A: If it's that type of game, I'm down for it.

Q: You seemed especially excited after your catch. Something you've been working on?

A: Absolutely. I've been working, putting in the extra work after practice catching balls out of the Juggs. It's paying off; I can see it paying off. I'm more comfortable catching the ball, so it was just exciting to get that first one in.

Q: That's not an easy play with a defender coming up on you, right?

A: Yeah, that's the thing about those swing routes, you never know how fast that corner's going to be coming down on you. I got the ball just in time to be able to square up before I met him, so it ended up working out in my favor rather than his.

Q: If Rashad is out and you have to carry the load as a running back, that's something they're going to expect of you, right?